Pearl of the Orient College, SRICF ingathering June 23, 2025, Conferral of Second Grade Theoricus

 

Pearl of the Orient College, SRICF  ingathering June 23, 2025, Conferral of Second Grade Theoricus

Elected as Celebrant 2025, Pearl of the Orient College

Celebrant’s Address
Pearl of the Orient College, SRICF – June Convocation

Fratres,
Light and peace be upon you all.

Tonight, as I accept the honor of serving as Celebrant of our College, I do so not as one elevated above others, but as one called to remember—to awaken what has long been written in the Book of the Soul.

We are not strangers gathered by chance. We are souls who have known each other before—brothers in the ancient mysteries, seekers of the unseen, pilgrims who once walked the sacred paths of Eleusis, Alexandria, Qumran, and Heliopolis. We were there, in veiled silence, when the hierophants whispered truth beneath stone arches, where the light of the Logos flickered through the Temple's veil.

Some among us were scribes of lost tongues, others healers, architects, philosophers—bearers of the Rose and Cross before it ever found its name. We have worn many garments, lived under many stars, but our longing remained the same: to know, to serve, and to transmute the self into Light.

Our College is not merely a body of learned men—it is a vessel of remembrance. A place where the soul’s compass realigns to the celestial north of Truth. And that Truth tells us: we are one body, born of one Flame, divided only by time, united again by intention.

In this incarnation, we find ourselves once more in the Pearl of the Orient—a name not lightly given. For as the pearl is formed through pressure, time, and hidden travail, so too has our nation—and each of our souls—been shaped to carry forth the sacred tradition entrusted to us by the Invisible College.

It is not coincidence but karmic convergence that has drawn us together again. For the Great Work requires hands, hearts, and voices. Not merely to preserve—but to kindle the ancient fire in a world that has forgotten its warmth.

As Celebrant, I vow to uphold the sanctity of our rituals, not as mere ceremony, but as encoded messages from a higher realm—each word, each gesture, a key to unlock the divine pattern within.

My Program for the Year:

1. Enlightenment Through Articles:
I shall publish and share monthly articles—not merely academic, but contemplative pieces—intended to awaken the deeper meaning behind our rites and symbols. These reflections shall be made accessible to all Fratres, to serve as food for the soul and fire for the intellect.

2. Study of the 17 Treatises of the Corpus Hermeticum:
Together we will explore these Hermetic texts—each a glyph of divine gnosis, offering insight into the Mind of God (Nous), the journey of the soul, and the path of return. For within these writings lies a roadmap of our divine origin, our fall into matter, and our eventual transmutation.

3. The Book of Alchemy and the Path of the Rose:
We shall trace the alchemical processes—Nigredo, Albedo, Citrinitas, Rubedo—not as mere chemical allegories, but as inner realities. This shall culminate in a Rosicrucian reflection on Dat Rosa Mel Apibus—that sacred maxim: “The Rose gives honey to the bees.” We, the bees, must gather from the Rose the nectar of divine wisdom.

4. The Ancient Maze as the Inner Journey:
We will contemplate the labyrinth—not as a physical puzzle, but as the soul’s spiral path toward the center, where the divine dwells. In this maze, every turn is a trial, every dead end a teaching, every center a mirror of the One.

5. Cross-Tradition Synthesis:
We shall look beyond the borders of dogma—integrating Hermeticism, Kabbalah, Vedic wisdom, and Rosicrucian philosophy. Our College shall serve as a vessel of Syncretic Light, true to the spirit of the Invisible College that transcends time, nation, and creed.

Fratres,
The role of Celebrant is not to lead from the front, but to hold the flame steady while each soul kindles its own torch. I vow to serve you in this sacred task—so that we may, together, ascend the spiral of inner awakening.

Let this be the year we remember who we truly are:
Not bodies, not titles, not even minds—
But sparks of the divine Fire, sent into the world to know, to love, to serve, and to return.

May the Invisible Masters guide our steps, and may the Rose bloom again in the East.

Ad Rosam per Crucem.

Thank you, my Fratres. May the Spirit of Wisdom guide us in every step, as we unfold the petals of our shared destiny.

Masonic Order of Athelstan in England, Wales and its Provinces Overseas

 

June 13 and 14, 2025  - Half-Yearly Assembly

Scottish Rite Temple, Manila, Philippines

Cavite Court No. 174

History of this Order

The Masonic Order of Athelstan formed in 2005, growing out of the shared interests that a number of like-minded individuals had in the origins of Masonry. Their research culminated in a few members of that group focusing specifically on the Anglo Saxon Chronicles. In essence, their informal meetings became more and more regular and the rich and invigorating debates offered each member considerable encouragement and support to continue with their personal endeavours. They had become a dedicated Masonic and historical discussion group.

As the group progressed its subsequent interface with other like-minded Masons encouraged them to progress the idea of a new Order even to the writing of a ritual to support it. This ritual was based on the research of many old historic documents and the discovery of old Craft and other Masonic ritual. Eventually a draft of the ritual was produced based upon the life and symbolism of King Athelstan, the grandson of King Alfred, and the first King of England to be referred to as “The King of All the English”. The Grand Court of the Masonic Order of Athelstan was conceived if not yet born.

As the group explored the idea of setting up the Order it caught the imagination of more and more Freemasons both senior and junior. Eventually there was a following which quickly grew as “word of mouth” spread and has now become a vehicle for many well-read and like-minded Masons to come together and discuss their individual learning.

So what is the Order of Athelstan? The Order has become many different things to many different people. For many it is historic and educational, for others it is rich in symbolism and a vehicle to keep a great deal of old ritual alive, for others it is where good friends meet to share knowledge, thinking, friendship and good company.

On the practical side it is what we like to call a ‘functional’ degree, in other words it is aimed at accommodating people's modern lifestyles with low costs. Normally three meetings a year are encouraged, two working and a third the Installation.  At this meeting the ceremonial is about 40 minutes in total and allows for a short talk or lecture.

The Order is Masonic, and candidates must be subscribing Craft Freemasons as well as subscribing Companions of a Royal Arch Chapter  in full amity with the United Grand Lodge of England. If a potential candidate holds these qualifications they can be invited to our Festive Board and will be warmly welcomed by all. The intention is to enable brethren to attend the dinner, after the meeting, as a way of introducing them to the Order without commitment.

Like other Masonic Orders, the ceremonial uses legend and allegory to tell a story and portray good ethical conduct and behaviour. We take the legend of the York Assembly of 926 as our framework and conduit, bringing to life that legendary ancient assembly and in so doing we aim to prompt brethren to further study and research. As such our meetings are held in a Court and our candidates are said to be ‘Instructed’ into the Order.